This homemade liquid laundry detergent is the best homemade laundry detergent ever! Save money on detergent without sacrificing quality!
Why I Chose Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent
We are so excited to share this homemade liquid laundry detergent recipe with you today. After a lot of trial and error, I feel confident I’ve found a really great homemade laundry detergent recipe. We have actually tried homemade laundry detergent recipes twice before this one, and neither impressed me. In full disclosure, my first two attempts were for dry laundry detergent.
I had almost given up on homemade laundry detergent completely, when my good friend Keesha texted me and said she had a recipe and wanted to make it together! I had my doubts, but she told me her mom and her sister had both been using this kind forever and swore by it, so I decided I would give it a go. Holy cow. I am in love with this homemade liquid laundry detergent, it is AMAZING!
Every time I open up the washer to switch loads, I am filled with joy because it smells fresh and clean. It also doesn’t leave gross residue, and gets out tough dirt and stains. Suffice it to say, this recipe is gonna shrink your laundry expenses considerably! Let’s get started shall we?
*This post contains affiliate links.
Gather Your Ingredients
Liquid Laundry Detergent Ingredients
Fels-Naptha soap bar
Washing soda
Borax
Essential oils (optional)
Water
After gathering your ingredients you will start by grating your Fels-Naptha soap bar. Here is what the Fels-naptha soap looked like after grating it. You want to use the smallest grater that you have, so that it melts as quickly and easily as possible!
While you are grating your soap start four cups of water boiling.
Add your grated Fels-Naptha bar and stir over medium heat until soap is completely melted.
Next, fill your five gallon bucket up halfway with hot tap water.
Then add your other dry ingredients and stir together.
Finally, fill your bucket the rest of the way with hot water and stir again.
How much liquid laundry detergent does this recipe make?
This recipe makes a 5 gallon tub of liquid detergent. You only need 1/2 cup detergent for top loader machines and 1/4 for front loader machines per load! It’s easy to see how utilizing homemade laundry detergent can add up to a big savings!
Be sure to clearly label your containers so that everyone knows they contain a detergent. Also, if you have young children be sure to keep your laundry detergent in a childproof container or on a high shelf. Here is the gallon jar I used, and here is a good five gallon bucket! I also love this gamma seal lid!
Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe
- 4 cups boiling water
- 1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1/2 cup Borax
- essential oils (optional)
- 5 gallon bucket
- Heat 4 cups of water until boiling.
- Grate your Fels-Naptha soap bar (I just used a cheese grater) and add to boiling water. Stir continuously over medium low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
- Fill your 5 gallon bucket half full with HOT tap water, add melted soap, washing soda, and borax and stir well until all powder is dissolved.
- Fill the bucket the rest of the way to the top with hot water, stir, cover, and let sit overnight to thicken.
- The next day, stir well and fill an old laundry detergent container with detergent.
If desired, add your essential oils at this point! I use Doterra citrus bliss.
- Shake well before each use, because detergent can separate a bit.
- Top load machines use 1/2 cup per load, front load machines use 1/4 cup per load.
- Here is the gallon jar I used, and here is a good five gallon bucket!
It’s SO easy and SO worth it you guys! I can guarantee you’re gonna be glad you tried this homemade liquid laundry detergent!
Check out these other awesome laundry related posts!
Free Printable Laundry Cheat Sheet
How to Clean your Washing Machine
xo,
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*This post was originally written September 1, 2014 and has been updated.
i tried this recipe. after leaving it overnight, it did not thicken, it had this thick layer of transparent gooey substance which even after a lot of stirring hasn’t dissolved completely. I need to know what to do with it. Please help as I have 5 gallons of liquid detergent ready but not really ready to be used.
Hey, I’m so sorry, that is weird… it’s always worked for me. Since I am not there I don’t know how I can help. I hope you can get it to thicken!
I’ve never tried this recipe but to the ones not wanting to use the Napa bar or the borax you could use a bar of castle soap in place of the Napa and oxi free in place of the borax. I make nature detergent powder with these ingredients and was looking for a natural liquid recipe. I think I’m going to try it. I’ll let ya know! 🙃
This is absolutely amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing!
This is a wonderful idea! I have seriously never thought about being able to make my own detergent before and it looks so easy!
It really is so easy!
I need to breakdown and make some homemade laundry soap. I have been waiting to. This looks so easy.
It’s amazing how easy it is and honestly kind of fun!
I have never made my own, but I am so excited to try this!! Thank you so much for sharing this!
You’re welcome!
What a great DIY hack! I never knew how easy it was to make your own detergent!
I know right!? It’s so easy and really kind of fun!
Can I make it without borax and it still be effective? I’ve heard of health risks using borax. Thanks
I’m not sure I haven’t tried it!
I couldnt get my soap to mel all the way (zote)it geld up in clumps afTer over 20 minutes of stirring over medium heat . Any suggestions ?
WOW! lovely like this post. What a great review. it’s really amazing.
I am having the hardest time getting this soap to melt!. I have been using the recipe that uses Dawn liquid soap and it is much easier except for the liquid is extremely thin so I thought I would try this to thicken it up like store bought laundry detergent but this is a lot of work!!????
Can this be used IF.The washing machine requires he detergent?
I’ve BEEN DOINg a lot of research on homemade detergent. I’ve read a lot of articles about homemade detergent ruining washers & also not getting the CLOThes truly CLEAN. Just WONDERINg have you ever stripped your clean clothes to see if there was still DIrt. Apparently laundry soad and detergent are different (THERe was a whole scientific explanation that WENT over MY head). I just want to make sure I’m not RUINIng my brand NEW washer trying to save money on laundry detergent.
Can I substitute the bar soap for liquid Castile soap? If so what’s the ratio?
Yes that should be fine! Substitute one cup of the liquid Castile for the bar!
When you say it thickens as it sits overnight, does it normally turn into a thick gel that you have to stir and break up before you can put into containers or did I do something wrong? I had to add a bit of hot water to mine to get it diluted to a runny consistency again. Thank you so much for the post though I was excited to find it!
Yes it does! That is totally normal! And adding a bit of water is okay!
I followed a link to this page and the picture used for that page was this detergent in an empty orange juice container – bad idea – it looked just like orange juice. BAD IDEA. Don’t use empty containers that were used for food that a child might be used to “helping themselves” too.
I followed a link to this page and the picture used for that page was this detergent in an empty orange juice container – bad idea – it looked just like orange juice. BAD IDEA. Don’t use empty containers that were used for food that a child might be used to “helping themselves” too.
I have been using the same recipe, but you dilute it one step further….when you put it in your jug for everyday use, you fill the jug with 1/2 water and 1/2 detergent. That 5 gallon container gets doubled to make 10 gallons total! Have been doing it that way for some time now, and so has my sister….and it gets the clothes clean! Also, I don’t put it in the soap dispenser in my HE front loader (I read on one site that it could clog it up!)…….I have a glass 4 cup measuring cup on top of the washer that I put my 1/4 cup soap and just add some water to dilute a little further, and pour it on my clothes. I also use white vinegar in the softener bin….it helps release the soap in the rinse, and makes clothes soft…and there is NO vinegar odor….clothes just smell clean!! Using commercial softeners puts chemicals in your clothes, sheets, towels, etc….and then your skin is exposed to them 24/7 !!
Hi Jessica – I’m interested in making this and I really would love to add Citrus Bliss to it, but I’m worried about storing it in plastic containers – don’t citrus oils “burn” through plastic?
I’ve never had a problem with it before, maybe because the amount of oil vs. liquid is so small? But you could also keep the oils separate and just add a drop or two to each load!
Excellent, so happy to hear! I can’t wait to try this!
You will love it!
Holy Cow! 5 gallons is way more than i need. Any conversion to a gallon?
Please check the EWG (Environmental Working Group) website before using any chemicals. I would not use Fels-Naptha or Borax because of the health risks. EWG gives Borax two Fs for being toxic.
https://wellnessmama.com/26407/borax-safe/
Have used this for a year and a half. In that time the total cost for my laundry has been less than $20 for the soap and the washer is used several (and I emphasize several) times a week! Clothes smell wonderful and the come out clean and no dingy fabric’s over time.
WOOOO HOOOOO! Isn’t it the best?! I am so so glad to hear that! Thank you so much for coming back to let us know!
I have used homemade laundry detergent for about a year & am very pleased! But recently I read that Borax was toxic! My question is…Can you substitute something for Borax & it still be efficient?
I’m not sure I’ve never tried anything else before! I think it’s in most detergent!
You could use baking soda wash it is sold in Walmart right next to the Borax. Baking soda is non-toxin
I buy them through Doterra because my bf sells them and it’s easy, but if you type them in on Amazon tons will come up, or any local health food store (lots of regular grocery stores too)! I used probably 10-20 drops depending how I’m feeling! It’s just for scent really so however much you like!
where do you buy essential oils and how much do you use
We have a high efficiency washer, and I don’t think it would even hold half a cup of liquid soap. How does the amount of this compare with the amount used of the store bought stuff? Is it a one to one ratio – would I just use the same amount of this stuff as I would the high efficiency store bought liquid?
Also, we typically use a color booster. Does this do that as well, would the booster still be needed? Or should they not be mixed?
It says to only use 1/4 cup for high efficiency washers :)
Will this detergent be oaky for sensitive skin? My daughter has eczema. And is it septic safe? =)
We have eczema in our house too and I haven’t noticed a worsening with this detergent! Ours is pretty bad though so in the winter we have to use heavy creams to keep it in control either way! And yes!
I love this recipe and have been using it for a while now, but mine always thickens too much… I end up adding globs not cups to my running wash. Any ideas?
Are you stirring it up really well to be sure it melts originally? If so, it should dissolve easily once the washer starts!
Is this okay for sensitive skin? My daughter has eczema.
My kids have super sensitive skin and they have been fine with it- but I would definitely watch her close after the first wash!
What scents do you use in your detergent?
I typically use wild orange from doterra, because I love the smell and I have a bunch on hand, but you could use any essential oil you like the smell of.. Lavender, lemon, etc!
I MADE IT and it is awesome. I have lots of supply left over so I can make more for at least a yr (just me and my hubby) I did not add oil cuz I like the fresh natural smell and didn’t want to extra ingredients not needed….IF UR HAPPY HAPPY CLAP UR HANDS
Haha hooray!!!! You just totally made my morning!! I’m so glad you love it as much as I do! Thanks for the sweet comment :)
How do we store it? Will keeping it in a hot garage damage it any, I live in Florida where it’s always hot!?
I live in a place where it’s always hot too! We just keep our bucket in our laundry room. Maybe try the floor of a closet or something? The garage may be fine but I’ve never tried it!
Mine has taken more than one day to thicken before.. No worries! You can start using it right away and you will notice it thickening over time! It’s still effective now though!
So I made it but mine didn’t thicken. Is there anything I can do? Can I add more borax?
I did it! It’s now covered and in the getting-thick phase. Very pleased to eliminate that very expensive laundry detergent from my budget! Thank you !!
Yay!!! I’m so glad you did it! I hope you love it as much as we do!
How much essential oil do I add? I’ve always thought oils would stain my clothes?
No they won’t! I’ve used them for years! I would add 10-15 drops per gallon!
Ps I use doterra essential oils so those ones don’t stain for sure!
I know some laundry Detergents wear out your clothes or fade them does this do that?
Not at all! Best I’ve used!
I’ve always wanted to make my own but have never tried. I’m going to try this one. How much would you say it cost you?
It cost me probably $20 for the supplies (including bucket) but my friend and I both made 5 gallons each and I still have some supplies left over! I already had the essential oils on hand though! And this will last me way longer than a normal detergent would! Super cost effective.
Essential oils – wont it react with the plastic of the gallon bucket?
It’s never been a problem for me!
What is the shelf life?
It lasts for years! You just might have to stir it up (or shake it) before use to reduce separation!
I really want to try this! I just have one question. My washing machine is a front loader and the instructions say it requires high efficiency laundry detergent so that’s what I’ve always used. Do you know if anyone has tried it in a machine that needs HE detergent and had success? Thanks!
Yes! You just need to use a little less is all! So your detergent will stretch farther, YAY!